The Locked Ward
Memoirs of a Psychiatric Orderly
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The Locked Ward
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Narrated by:
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Dennis O'Donnell
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By:
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Dennis O'Donnell
About this listen
In 2000 Dennis O'Donnell was approached to work as an orderly in the Intensive Psychiatric Care Unit of a large hospital in central Scotland.
'I don't know if I'm the man you want,' he told the Charge Nurse. 'I'm not a fighter.' 'I don't need fighters,' the Nurse replied. 'I need people who can listen.'
The Locked Ward is an extraordinary memoir that sets out to reveal the true story of life in a psychiatric ward - the fear, the violence and despair, and also the care and the compassion. Recounting the stories of the patients he worked with, and those of the friends he made on the ward, O'Donnell provides a detailed account of day-to-day life behind the doors of the most feared and stigmatised environment in healthcare. In doing so, he examines the major mental disorders, their symptoms and manifestations, and how certain triggers such as religion, sex, wealth, health and drugs bear influence; the methods of treatment, by medication, therapy and conversation; the love and support of patients' friends and family members; success stories and failures, and attitudes to psychiatric illness, both by the authorities, by those around him - and his own.
Over seven years O'Donnell witnessed the day-to-day lives of people suffering from the most hair-raising illnesses. What emerges is a document of humanity and humour, a remarkable memoir that sheds light on a world that still remains largely unknown.
©2012 Dennis O'Donnell (P)2012 Penguin AudioWhat listeners say about The Locked Ward
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sarah foote
- 02-04-2023
A brilliant book, wonderfully written and narrated.
Congratulations on writing a wonderful book and telling it with such humour only you could have pulled it off. I wish there was another book you’d written and narrated as this was a cracker. Thank you.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 26-07-2021
Thoroughly Enjoyed!!
I loved this book! Touching, honest, and witty. There were moments I agreed so full heartily with the author's sentiments I said "yes!" aloud. I wish the author had written more books! Brilliant!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 21-06-2023
Powerful
Found this a very informative story of a psychiatric ward. Made you smile in places,funny in others. Sad and emotional in others. Makes you realise what some people go through and the support and care they are given. loved the language and narration. Thank you, Dennis, for writing and being caring to the people you cared for
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- McNutsy
- 18-01-2023
Interesting and enjoyable book
Respectful and insightful stories, written and read by Dennis O’Donnell. I added this to my listening rotation as a break from the stream of fiction novels I usually listen to. I didn’t regret it. Lots of information on various aspects of mental illness without being patronising. The stories of the patients and staff were interesting, inspiring and educational and Dennis was able to wrap that into a package which was an enjoyable listen.
Two items to note:
1) I had to slow down the speed to 0.9 to ensure that I caught every word of the Scottish accent accurately.
2) There’s around a 30 sec gap of audio during the dedication piece at the end.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Kerry
- 04-08-2021
Good humour
I loved the book was so funny ,but in a good way ,I work in aged care so I could relate to some of the illnesses, loved how he read it too really enjoyed it.
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- Yibeltal kebede
- 27-09-2019
Very touching
what a fantastic humanistic account of a genuine, caring, and respectful individual. Loved every bit of the story.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Andrew
- 04-10-2023
Brilliant. Thoroughly enjoyed.
You might need some prior understanding of Scottish jargon to fully appreciate it fully. A wonderful story with a wide range of emotions. Some of the characters Dennis describes will stay with me for a long time as will some of the sayings and quips. Would definitely listen to it again.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Ben
- 10-01-2023
Great Account
I found this audiobook a pleasure to listen to. The authors own narration is great. I wanted more insight into what happens in psychiatrict wards as I have a family member who has a serious mental condition and has experienced such wards too. Through this book I was able to get an idea of what goes on in those wards. The Author's retelling of his experience and time of the ward makes you feel like you were there, a fly on the wall, as it is rich with dialogue and description. A great audiobook if you're interested in learning more about this topic.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Paula
- 20-11-2022
Strangely relaxing
Thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to end. I could relate to most of it having worked in aged care myself. Dennis’s Scottish accent definitely made this a better audiobook and his delivery was perfection. It was easy to just sit back and listen to and have a few laughs 👍👏
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- sharon
- 10-04-2019
Great read
Very informative and interesting written with empathy, understanding and compassion and a little bit of humour
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